Maine Democrats announced today that Sen. Troy Jackson of Allagash will serve as majority leader following the resignation of former Senate Democratic leader Seth Goodall of Richmond.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ The lawmaker from northern Maine who came under attack last month by Gov. Paul LePage is now the top Democrat in the state Senate.

Maine Democrats announced Wednesday that Sen. Troy Jackson of Allagash will serve as majority leader following the resignation of former Senate Democratic leader Seth Goodall of Richmond, who has been tapped to serve as New England Regional administrator of the Small Business Administration.

The Republican governor targeted Jackson with a sexually vulgar phrase and said he had a "black heart'' after Jackson criticized LePage's proposal to put in place a short-term budget.

Jackson previously served as assistant Senate Democratic leader, a spot that will be filled by Democratic Sen. Anne Haskell of Portland. Democrats say the senators were unchallenged and unanimously elected by their party caucus.